Joan Alexander

More than just a landmark in superhero animation, Max Fleischer's Superman shorts were no less than the foundation for so many shows that succeeded it. Playing in theaters in 1941-42, only a few years after the Man of Steel made his debut in Action Comics, these 17 exciting films were produced by Fleischer and made famous the phrase "This looks like a job for Superman!" At 10 minutes, each film had just enough time to run the opening credits, establish the threat, let Lois Lane make a headstrong rush into peril, and allow Clark Kent to change to his alter ego and save the day. The films show a remarkably dynamic and atmospheric storytelling style that enables them to hold up for modern viewers. At first the films followed a science fiction-fantasy theme, but not unexpectedly for that time soon focused on wartime concerns.

A double agent trying to deliver information to Washington, D.C. is chased by Nazi operatives.

Superman has to save Lois Lane from a cult of hawk-people in an homage to Edgar Rice Burroughs's "At the Earth's Core".

Superman discovers a secret Nazi base in the jungle.

Egyptologists are attacked by mummies, drawing the attention of Superman.

Superman has to thwart wartime saboteurs tampering with things at the Metropolis Munitions Plant...who have captured Lois Lane and loaded her into a torpedo!

Using Clark Kent as a cover, Superman travels to Japan as a saboteur during the war.

Superman's reputation is tarnished when a crook begins committing crimes in a Superman costume.

Superman vs. Japanese spies hijacking a new super-bomber.

When things go wrong at the circus, it's up to Superman to stop the escaped animals.

Superman comes to the rescue when a volcano erupts.

A scientist uses an earthquake machine to threaten the city, and only Superman can stop his extortion plan!

When police interfere with a reckless scientist's experiment, it creates a deadly meteor shower only Superman can stop.

Criminals with rocket powered car loot and extort the city, and only Superman can stop them!

A frozen Tyrannosaurus rex is found and put on display in a museum, but when he thaws out and revives, Superman has to stop his rampage!

Robbers target a special train carrying a billion dollars worth of gold, and the only one who can stop them is Superman!

Superman battles a criminal mastermind and his robot army.

After The Daily Planet receives a letter from a mad scientist threatening to wreak destruction with his Electrothanasia Ray, Lois Lane heads out in the hopes of getting more information for a news story.